Window and frame structure



Dec. 26, 1967 H. BAER WINDOW AND FRAM 3 STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 8, 1965 I NVENTOR.

HANS BAER BY I FIG 1 I ATTOR-NEVQ Dec. 26, 1967 H. BAER WINDOW AND FRAME STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. H Ns BAE-R United States Patent Office 3,360,030 Patented Dec. 26, 1967 3,360,030 WINDOW AND FRAME STRUCTURE Hans Baer, 4 Vermont Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada Filed Feb. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 430,798 5 Claims. (Cl. 160-101) The present invention relates generally to sliding or sash-type window and frame structures.

According to present day construction methods and techniques, sash-type Window and frame structures are commonly preconstructed, or prefabricated, and installed as tailored units in a building-wall Window opening. Such construction methods and techniques are generally applicable to prime window units or combination-type storm and screen units. By utilizing preconstructed, or prefabricated, window and frame units, it has been found that substantial reduction in installation and construction time, as Well as cost, can ordinarily be achieved since such units tend to minimize the extent of labor and customized construction and assembly required at the site of installation. However, many of such prefabricated or package-types of window and frame units, when installed, either fail to provide adequate alignment and close-fitting interrelationship and cooperation between the assembled window and frame components, or else the assembled components tend to bind and restrict the desired smooth sliding movement of the Window or screen panels within the frame.

Heretofore, the various structural concetps employed in providing prefabricated window and frame installations have been predominantly of such a character that, although a portion of the assembly was susceptible to being prefabricated and preassembled prior to installation, a considerable extent of the assemblement, arrangement and alignment of the various structural components of the window and particularly the frame structure had to be completed at the time of installation in order to effect a proper organization and orientation of the frame and panel components. As a consequence, prior to installation of the window and frame structure, it was ordinarily impossible to obtain, or fabricate, a frame having a structure sufficiently complete and stable that the frame itself, even when properly arranged with the building-wall window opening, could be relied upon to provide proper overall alignment and orientation for the panel components of the assembly. Consequently, time consuming and costly adjustment of various sections of the frame was required. Therefore, considerable effort has been expended in attempting to prefabricate an essentially unitary frame structure capable of obviating or greatly minimizing the extent of assembly and/or adjustment of the frame required during installation. Heretofore, such efforts, however, have ordinarily resulted in the fabrication of a composite unit which was not suited to the inclusion of various other desirable features. For example, prefabricated, unitary frame structures heretofore utilized have generally been of such a construction as to render it difiicult to readily remove the window or screen panels from the frame for such temporary purposes as cleaning and repair. Also, such rigid frame units characteristically lack the requisite close-fitting precision necessary to afford a highly effective Weather or insect interspaces alloted for relative overlapping movement between the panels.

Keeping in mind both the advantageous and disadvantageous aspects of preconstructed, or prefabricated, sashtype combination window and frame units, it will be appreciated from the ensuing description that the present invention pertains to structural innovations in sliding or sash-type window and frame structures which, in addition barrier restricting the to being adaptable to customized, or non-prefabricated, constructions, are particularly Well-suited for use in conjunction with prefabricated prime window and frame units, and especially prefabricated, framed combination storm window and screen units.

In accordance with certain of the more salient features of the present invention, there is provided a sliding or sash-type window and frame structure which, in addition to being capable of utilization with a unitary and dimensionally stable outer frame structure, is also adapted to permit and facilitate temporary or permanent removal and/ or rearrangement of the various panel components, or members, within the frame structure after installation thereof in a building-wall Window opening. Consequently, the panel components may be readily removed for cleaning and repair purposes. Also, the panel components may be quickly and conveniently rearranged Within the frame for more effective wintertime and summertime usage. In this latter regard, the more preferred structural aspects of the present invention are such that the frame structure may accommodate three panel components, such as an upper and lower window panel and a screen panel, which may be alternately rearranged to permit the panels to provide ventilation during Warm and fair weather conditions and to permit the screen panel to be quickly and easily shifted to a stored position wherein it may be isolated from inclement weather conditions, particularly during the winter season. Another salient feature of the present invention is that it provides a system of cooperative tight-fitting interlocks which, when the panel components are properly arranged, are effective to restrict, or preclude, the passage of moisture, air currents and insects between the interfaces of the panel components and into the interior of the building.

With these and other features in mind, it is accordingly a principal objective of the present invention to provide a sash-type window and frame structure which may be prefabricated and quickly installed in a building-wall Window opening with a minimum amount of adjustment or customizing of the structure being necessitated at the time and site of installation.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a window and frame structure capable of accomplishing the foregoing objective and wherein the frame structure can be fabricated as a unitized structural member prior to arrival thereof at the site of installation.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a window and frame structure capable of accomplishing the foregoing objectives and which also possesses structural features permitting the window or panel components, after installation, to be readily removed and reassembled or rearranged within the frame for purposes of repair and maintenance, or the like.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a Window and frame structure for accommodating sliding or sash-type panel components and which is characterized by the inclusion of means for providing an effective insect and weather barrier between the panel components.

A more particular objective of the present invention is the provision of a frame structure for sliding combination storm window and screen panel components which is effective to retain the panel components in snug assembled relationship, and which also facilitates removal and reassembly of the panel components by the simple expedient of exerting slight lateral pressure upon the panel components to permit the same to be snapped into and out of assembly with the frame.

Another more particular objective of the present invention is the provision of a frame structure for housing sash-type panel components which is characterized by the inclusion of guide tracks on opposite sides of the frame wherein the panel components may be housed in assembled relationship within the frame for slidable movements between raised and lowered positions, and which is further characterized by the provision of structure whereby at least one of such guide tracks is resiliently and laterally displaceable to enlarge the medial opening or compartment wherein the panel components are housed to thereby accommodate assembly and/or disassembly of the panel components as a consequence of pressing the panel components laterally against said displaceable guide track.

Other and additional objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed two sheets of drawings, on which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a combination screen and storm window assembly embodying the present invention, and depicting the interior aspect of the assembly as it would appear when installed and viewed from the interior-wall side of a building-wall window opening; and

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, but depicting the exterior aspect thereof with portions of the panel and frame structure broken away at various locations to better illustrate various structural features thereof; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating the general structural characteristics of the window positioning locks preferably utilized in conjunction with the respective sliding panel components of the assembly; and

IFIG. 4 is a face view of one side section of the panel guide track disassociated from the assembly; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view substantially along and in the direction indicated by the sectional plane 5-5 in FIG. 1, but having certain structure omitted for clarity of illustration and schematically portraying the panel components assembled in operative association in the frame and panel guide track; and

FIG. 6 is a view generally corresponding to FIG. 5 but, for purposes of depicting certain functional aspects, illustrating one of the panel components in a partially disassembled relationship with the frame; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevational view showing one manner of relative arrangement of the assembled panel components and particularly depicting the cooperative interlocking relationship between the panel components in such an arrangement; and

FIG. 8 is another schematic view similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating the cooperative relationship between the panel components when shifted to an alternative position; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view generally similar to FIGS. 7 and 8, but illustrating an alternative arrangement and positioning of the panel components within the frame.

In accordance with one preferred embodiment depicted in the drawings, the present invention is best exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 2 as being embodied in a combination storm window and frame structure which is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The embodiment exemplified in the drawings, of course, is merely one of preference and it should be recognized that the structural features of the present invention which are embodied therein may be individually or completely incorporated or embodied advantageously in other types of sliding or sash window and frame structures, such as prime sliding windows and the like.

Briefly, the general organization of the window and frame structure 10 is such that an outer frame 11 of conventional rectangular configuration affords a stable peripheral encasement in which to arrange and orient the various window and frame components in assembled relationship. As observed in FIG. 2, the frame 11 carries an integral annular panel housing 12 which extends continuously around the exteriorly facing side of the frame 11 and which is shaped to receive and house the panel components such as a screen panel 13 and interior and exterior window panels 14 and 15, respectively, for slidable movements between alternative raised and lowered relative positions. Means for selectively locking the panels 13, 14 and 15 in selected raised or lowered positions are provided in the form of conventional spring actuated finger locks 17 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

Marginally outward from the housing 12, the frame affords a peripheral flange which serves as a trim strip 16 in which there is defined a peripheral array of spaced apertures 18 through which to receive suitable, conventional fastening means such as screws 19, or the like, for securement of the frame 11 to portions of the wall abutting the building-wall window opening.

The panel housing 12, for such purposes, among others, of providing substantial strength, light weight construction and minimization of material, is designed and fabricated in such manner that it possess a hollow core structure. The hollow structural characteristics of the panel housing are provided, in part, by an end wall 21 and spaced parallel exterior and interior side walls 22 and 23, respectively, which interconnect with the end wall 21 and cooperate therewith to enclose the housing along three sides; a panel guide 25 providing a jamb wall being arranged in the remaining side of the housing disposed adjacent to and peripherally surrounding the open panel occupying central region of the structure 10.

The panel guide 25, as will be subsequently described in greater detail, is composed of at least two cooperating sections carried in a recessed location between the panel housing side walls 22 and 23 and at least one of which sections is adapted to be removably carried, or confined within the outer reaches of the channel defined between the side Walls 22 and 23. The panel guide 25, even though sectionalized, is arranged so that the sections thereof cooperate in aligned relationship when recessed within the panel housing to provide a continuous peripheral race running in a rectangular path along the inner periphery of the panel housing 12. Each of the sections of the panel guide 25 includes a similar pair of parallel, centrally located, longitudinal ribs 26 and 27, respectively, which, as shown, project inwardly from the jamb Wall and cooperate to provide therebetween a peripheral central track at 28. Additionally, the ribs 26 and 27 cooperate respectively within the inner reaches of the channel with the inner end portions 29 and 30 of the panel housing side walls 22 and 23 to define an intenor panel guide slot or track 32 and an exterior panel guide slot or track 33. Thus, in accordance with the illustrated form of the invention, the panel guide 25, ribs 26 and 27 and panel housing side walls 22 and 23 all cooperate to provide a triple track panel guide in which to accommodate, in separate respective tracks, the interror window panel 14, exterior window panel 15 and the intermediate screen panel 13. Other relative arrangements of the panel components are also available, and such other arrangements will be subsequently described in greater detail in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

As mentioned, the panel guide 25 runs along the inner periphery of the panel housing 12. Consequently, the panel guide 25 runs in a lengthwise rectangular path and comprises a top section 34, bottom section 35, and spaced oppositely facing side sections '36 and 37 running between the top and bottom sections 34 and 35, respectively. At preselected spaced intervals, along the length of each of the side sections 36 and 37, apertures may be provided in each of the three tracks, as at 39 and '40 and other selected locations, which cooperate with the snapaction window locks 17 to selectively retain each of the panel components in various suitable, alternative raised. and lowered positions.

As best indicated in FIG. 3, the snap-action lock 17 may be of conventional construction and includes a manual release having a finger grip 42 at the inner end of body portion 43 and an outwardly extending bolt 44 at the outer end of the body portion. To prevent the snap-action lock 17 from interfering with the raising and lowering of the panels, it is preferably recessed in a channel 45, or the like, provided in the interiorly facing surface of the bottom stile on each panel. Thus, by drawing the finger grip 42 inwardly, the bolt 44 may be withdrawn from the apertures, as at 39 or 40, in the tracks and the panels thereafter readily shifted in their respective tracks to an alternative selected position whereat, upon releasing the finger grip 42, a spring 46 actuates the bolt 44 outwardly to be received in a window locking aperture at another preferred location.

In accordance with an especially significant feature of the present invention, at least one of the side sections of the panel guide 25 forms a laterally shiftable or floating guide section. As best shown in FIG. 2, such a float ing guide section is depicted as being carried within the right-hand side of the panel housing 12 and is identified by the reference numeral 37. The floating guide section 37 rides upon resilient means disposed between the floating guide section and the panel housing end wall 21 and is confined within the panel housing 12 by oppositely facing shoulders 38 and 41 intermediate the inner and outer reaches of the channel defined between the side Walls 22 and 23, respectively. As illustrated, these shoulders 38 and 41 form seats and serve to abut against the opposite marginal edges of the floating guide section and confine the jamb wall portion thereof within the outer reaches of the channel between the side walls 21 and 22 and in normally spaced relationship with respect to the edges of the panels so as to avoid biasing frictional cont-act between the floating guide section and the panels when the latter are slidably moved within the panel housing.

As observed in FIGS. 1 and 4, at its opposite longitudinal ends 48 and 51, the floating guide section 37 is adapted to interlock with the top and bottom sections 34 and 35. Such interlocking is provided by having the floating guide section 37 extend beyond the juncture thereof with the top and bottom sections 34 and 35, and by the ribs 26 and 27 on the floating guide section being notched at each opposite end to provide grooves, as at 50 and 51a (FIG. 4), in which to receive the normally disposed, adjoining ends of the top and bottom sections 34 and 35, respectively, in tongue and groove relationship.

The resilient means, upon which the floating guide secn 37 rides, may comprise one or more resilient members which are shown as being in the form of arched springs 52 such as may be fabricated into a generally U- shaped configuration from a thin sheet or strip of resilient metal, plastic, or similar material. As illustrated, the arched springs 52 are arranged between the end wall 21 of the panel housing 12 and the oppositely facing underside surface of the floating guide section 37, and are disposed so that they will spread and retract lengthwise of the panel guide section. When so arranged, the arched springs 52 bias the floating guide section 37 so that the guide ribs 26 and 27 travel inwardly between the shoulders 38 and 41 into the inner reaches of the channel into cooperative parallel alignment with end portions 29 and 30 of the housing side Walls 22 and 23, and so that the marginal edge surfaces of the jamb wall seat against the seats or shoulders 38 and 41. To insure that the arched springs will not shift or slip towards the bottom end of the panel housing 12, projections may be provided on the arched surface of the springs, such as prongs 55, which will grip the underside surface of the floating panel guide section 37 and hold the arched springs in place.

' By virtue of the floating panel guide section 37, the panel components may be readily removed from the panel housing for cleaning, storage or for rearrangement within the guide tracks 28, 32 and 33. For comparative purposes, the functional aspects attending the removal or insertion of the panels are schematically shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. For example, in FIG. 5, the panel components 13, 14 and 15 are shown in assembled operative positions within the panel housing. By contrast, in FIG. 6, the shiftable or floating guide section 37 is shown shifted to an outer alternative position and the interior window panel 14 is shown at it would appear either when being removed or inserted into assembly within the panel housing 12. During such insertion or removal, the panel is slipped sideways into its intended track and manually forced against the floating guide section 37 with suflicient pressure to depress the spring member enough to displace the guide ribs 26 and 27 into the outer reaches of the channel between the side walls 22 and 23 and thereby permit the opposite side of the panel 14, with the snapaction locking bolt 44 retracted, to pass the side wall 23 of the panel housing. Thereafter, of course, when the panel is properly aligned with its respective track, the pressure upon the spring 52 is released and the floating guide section will return to the inner alternative position shown in FIG. 5 seating against the seats or shoulders 38 and 41 and retain the panel in assembly within the panel housing. Obviously, the same procedure is capable of being repeated for insertion or removal of each of the panel components. During assembly, the exterior panel, of course, would ordinarily be inserted first, followed by insertion of the intermediate panel and thereafter by insertion of the interior panel. Conversely, when it is desired to remove the panels, the interior panel would be removed first, followed by removal of the intermediate and exterior panels.

As a consequence of the foregoing construction, the panel components may be readily rearranged within the panel housing. One exemplary arrangement is depicted in FIG. 7 where, as in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the panel components are arranged with the screen panel 13 in a lowered position in the intermediate track and the window panels 14 and 15 in raised positions respectively in the interior and exterior tracks. Such would be a typical preferable arrangement of the panel components during the during the colder months of the year when it is desired to store the screen panel and to protect the same from weathering or damage accompanying more severe weather conditions.

Also, as best observed in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the panels are provided with cooperative interlocks which, depending upon the particular panel arrangement desired, are effective to preclude the passage of insects, drafts, dust and foreign matter from passing through the interfacial gaps which commonly occur between adjacent panel surfaces as a consequence of assembling the panels in separate and adjacent guide tracks. In the present invention, hook-shaped strips located on the stiles of the adjacent panels interlock in interdigitated manner when the panels are arranged in various alternative raised and lowered positions. More particularly, the screen panel 13 is provided with a top stile 57 having a horizontally disposed interlock projecting outward from opposite faces of the panel. As illustrated, the exteriorly facing surface of the top stile 57 carries a downwardly opening hook-shaped. strip 58 which, when the panel is arranged as in FIGS. 7 and 8, is shaped to be snugly received within a similar but upwardly opening and interiorly projecting hookshaped strip 60 provided on the bottom stile 59 of the exterior window panel 15. On the opposite or interiorly facing side of the top stile 57, there is provided an additional hook-shaped strip 61 which opens upwardly and is adapted to snugly nest within a downwardly opening hook-shaped strip 62 formed on the exteriorly facing surface of the top stile 63 of the interior window panel 14 when the latter is shifted to a lowered closed position, as indicated in FIG. 8. Similarly formed on the interiorly facing side of the bottom stile 64 of the interior window panel 14, there is a hook-shaped strip 65 which opens upwardly to snugly receive the hook-shaped strip 58 on the screen panel when the screen panel and interior window panels are arranged as in FIG. 9, but, in contrast with FIG. 9, with the window panel in a raised position and the screen panel in a lowered position, not illustrated.

As a consequence of the novel interlocking between the panels, it will be observed that a tight seal can be effected which, when the panels are arranged as in FIG. 7, precludes the entrance of bugs and other various small insects, and the like, from entering the building through gaps or spaces between the panels. When, as shown in FIG. 8, the interior window 14 is lowered to a closed position, however, a double-seal is effected which not only precludes the entrance of bugs, insects, and the like, from passing between either the bottom stile 59 of the exterior window 15 and the top stile 57 of the screen panel 13, or between the top stile 57 of the screen panel and the top stile 63 of the interior window panel 14-, but also restrict the passage of moisture and drafts of air from passing between the top stiles 57 and 63 of the panels 13 and 14.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 9, which, as mentioned, would ordinarily correspond to an arrangement which would be employed during the colder months or winter months of the year, a positive draft barrier or interlock is effective between the bottom stile 59 of the exterior window 15 and the top stile 63 of the interior window 14. Also, as will be observed with respect to FIG. 9, raising of the interior window panel 14 and lowering of the screen panel 13 will effect a positive interlock between the bottom stile 64 of the interior window 14 and the top stile 57 of the screen panel 13.

As a consequence of the improved characteristics and structural nature of the present invention, it has been found that a window and frame structure of the type herein described may, with the exception, of course, of the glass windows and screening material, be fabricated entirely from a relatively low-cost extrudible plastic composition. Among numerous other plastic compositions, a rigid polyvinyl chloride plastic molding composition has been found to be particularly suitable and is capable of being extruded to conform to relatively exacting dimensional and configurational specifications and of having extremely good weatherability under the varying weather conditions to which storm windows are ordinarily subjected. Additionally extrudible polyvinyl chloride molding compositions of the rigid-type are readily obtainable which will produce extrusions of most any desired color including white, which, of course, in the manufacture of storm windows, is the most preferable color to the ultimate purchasing customer.

Another advantage resulting from the use of a plastic frame construction is that the frame 11 inclusive of the panel housing 12 may be extruded in sections and readily united into a composite unitary structure by conventional and highly economical heat sealing methods. Furthermore, the union or the plastic sections can be carried out at the fabricating site where suitable tools and machinery can be most effectively employed to insure proper permanent alignment and orientation of the frame assembly. As a consequence, a subsequent saving in labor and cost involved in the installation and adjustment of the frame in a building-wall window opening is achieved. Additionally, the essentially unitary nature of the frame structure makes it quite rugged and far less susceptible to damage or requiring frequent realignment after once being installed.

Although not a requisite, it is also preferable to fabricate the floating guide section 37 from a resilient, flexible material so that it may be resiliently flexed in order to better accommodate its insertion in and removal from the panel housing '12. In this respect, a rigid polyvinyl chloride molding composition, such as may be employed for the fabrication of the frame and panel housing, has been successfully employed, and although referred to as rigid is sulficiently flexible and resilient to allow substantial non-damaging bending of the floating panel guide.

It will, of course, be understood that the foregoing description is exemplary only of a preferential embodiment and that various details of construction may be modified throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose of the foregoing description to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than as may be necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a prefabricated frame structure for combination window and screen panels including a unitized peripheral housing defining therewithin a rectangular panel compartment in which to assemble a plurality of said panels for endwise sliding movements in parallel paths leading between various locations within said panel compartment, said unitized housing having interspaced mutually facing side sections defining oppositely aligned centrally opening guide channels extending lengthwise of said side sections, panel guide tracks Within said channel openings defining tracks providing guided direction for the sliding movements of said panels within said panel compartment, resilient biasing means within one of said channel openings, one of said panel guide tracks being biased laterally inward towards said panel compartment by said resilient biasing means and being shiftable depthwise of its respective channel opening against said resilient biasing means to accommodate assembly and disassembly of said panels relative to said panel guide tracks, the improvement comprising oppositely converging side wall shoulders within and narrowing said last-mentioned channel opening intermediate the inner and outer reaches thereof, said shiftable panel guide tracking providing an inwardly facing jamb wall bordered by marginal inwardly facing seating surfaces aligned to seat against and cooperate with said side wall shoulders to retain said jamb wall in a position continually biased against said resilient biasing means and confined within the outer reaches of said last-mentioned channel, an inwardly projecting guide rib extending lengthwise of said jamb wall intermediate said marginal seating surfaces and aligned to travel in a path leading between said side Wall shoulders into the inner reaches of said last-mentioned channel opening to define parallel guide slots straddling said guide rib within said inner reaches of said last-mentioned channel opening when said shiftable guide track is biased against said side wall shoulders, and said guide rib being adapted to travel into the outer reaches of said last-mentioned channel opening when said shiftable guide track is depressed outwardly against said resilient biasing means to accommodate removable assembly and interchangeability of said panels within said panel compartment.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1, with said shiftable guide means being accommodated in snap-fit assembled relationship within the outer reaches of its respective channel opening.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 1, including, in combination therewith, an exterior window panel, a screen panel and an interior window panel removably assembled together in mutually interchangeable relationship within said panel compartment and carrying a plurality of means cooperatively coordinated with the mutually interchangeable relationship of said panels to provide interchangeable interlocking of said panels, said plurality of means comprising a downwardly opening hook-shaped strip and an upwardly opening hook-shaped strip running along opposite respective sides of the upper portion of said screen panel, an upwardly opening hook-shaped strip running along the lower portion of the interior side of said exterior window panel, a downwardly opening hookshaped strip running along the upper portion of the exterior side of said interior window panel, said dwnwa1'd ly opening hook-shaped strip on said screen panel and said downwardly opening hook-shaped strip on said interior window panel being cooperatively arranged to interchangeably interlock with said upwardly opening hook-shaped strip on said exterior window panel, and said downwardly opening hook-shaped strip on said interior window panel being cooperatively arranged to interchangeably interlock with said upwardly opening hookshaped strip on said screen panel and said upwardly opening hook-shaped strip on said exterior window panel.

4. The combination as defined in claim 3, further ineluding an upwardly opening hook-shaped strip running along the bottom portion of the interior side of said interior window panel, and said downwardly opening hookshaped strip on said screen panel being arranged to interchangeably interlock with said upwardly opening hookshaped strip on said interior window pnael and said upwardly opening hook-shaped strip on said exterior window panel.

5. A prefabricated combination storm window frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said shiftable guide means is wider than said entranceway and is fabricated from a resilient flexible material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,303,129 11/1942 Kurtz 49-422 2,921,349 1/ 1960 Humphrey 49422 2,636,277 4/1953 Altwies l101 X 2,774,997 12/1956 Zitomer 90 X 2,812,812 11/1957 Hauck 160101 2,862,550 12/1958 Zappone et al 160-90 2,999,279 9/1961 Lauer 160-91 X 3,080,620 3/1963 Mendelsohn 16090 X 3,081,503 3/1963 Mendelsohn 160-90 X DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

PETER M. CAUN, HARRISON R. MOSELEY,

- Examiners. 

1. IN A PREFABRICATED FRAME STRUCTURE FOR COMBINATION WINDOW AND SCREEN PANELS INCLUDING A UNITIZED PERIPHERAL HOUSING DEFINING THEREWITHIN A RECTANGULAR PANEL COMPARTMENT IN WHICH TO ASSEMBLE A PLURALITY OF SAID PANELS FOR ENDSWISE SLIDING MOVEMENTS IN PARALLEL PATHS LEADING BETWEEN VARIOUS LOCATIONS WITHIN SAID PANEL COMPARTMENT, SAID UNITIZED HOUSING HAVING INTERSPACED MUTUALLY FACING SIDE SECTIONS DEFINING OPPOSITELY ALIGNED CENTRALLY OPENING GUIDE CHANNELS EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID SIDE SECTIONS, PANEL GUIDE TRACKS WITHIN SAID CHANNEL OPENINGS DEFINING TRACKS PROVIDING GUIDED DIRECTION FOR THE SLIDING MOVEMENTS OF SAID PANELS WITHIN SAID PANEL COMPARTMENT, RESILIENT BIASING MEANS WITHIN ONE OF SAID CHANNEL OPENINGS, ONE OF SAID PANEL GUIDE TRACKS BEING BIASED LATERALLY INWARD TOWARDS SAID PANEL COMPARTMENT BY SAID RESILIENT BIASING MEANS AND BEING SHIFTABLE DEPTHWISE OF ITS RESPECTIVE CHANNEL OPENING AGAINST SAID RESILIENT BIASING MEANS TO ACCOMMODATE ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF SAID PANELS RELATIVE TO SAID PANEL GUIDE TRACKS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING OPPOSITELY CONVERGING SIDE WALL SHOULDERS WITHIN AND NARROWING SAID LAST-MENTIONED CHANNEL OPENING INTERMEDIATE THE INNER AND OUTER REACHES THEREOF, SAID SHIFTABLE PANEL GUIDE TRACKING PROVIDING AN INWARDLY FACING JAMB WALL BORDERED BY MARGINAL INWARDLY FACING SEATING SURFACES ALIGNED TO SEAT AGAINST AND COOPERATE WITH SAID SIDE WALL SHOULDERS TO RETAIN SAID JAMB WALL IN A POSITION CONTINUALLY BIASED AGAINST SAID RESILIENT BIASING MEANS AND CONFINED WITHIN THE OUTER REACHES OF SAID LAST-MENTIONED CHANNEL, AN INWARLDY PROJECTING GUIDE RIB EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID JAMB WALL INTERMEDIATE SAID MARGINAL SEATING SURFACES AND ALIGNED TO TRAVEL IN A PATH LEADING BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALL SHOULDERS INTO THE INNER REACHES OF SAID LAST-MENTIONED CHANNEL OPENING TO DEFINE PARALLEL GUIDE SLOTS STRADDLING SAID GUIDE RIB WITHIN SAID INNER REACHES OF SAID LAST-MENTIONED CHANNEL OPENING WHEN SAID SHIFTABLE GUIDE TRACK IS BIASED AGAINST SAID SIDE WALL SHOULDERS, AND SAID GUIDE RIB BEING ADAPTED TO TRAVEL INTO THE OUTER REACHES OF SAID LAST-MENTIONED CHANNEL OPENING WHEN SAID SHIFTABLE GUIDE TRACK IS DEPRESSED OUTWARDLY AGAINST SAID RESILIENT BIASING MEANS TO ACCOMMODATE REMOVABLE ASSEMBLY AND INTERCHANGEABILITY OF SAID PANELS WITHIN SAID PANEL COMPARTMENT. 